NCC in 2024: Putting Subscribers First and Driving Telecom Growth

NCC in 2024: Putting Subscribers First and Driving Telecom Growth

 

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has been a game-changer in 2024, reaffirming its commitment to Nigerian subscribers and the telecom industry. Addressing recent speculations about a tariff hike, the Commission has reassured Nigerians that they remain at the heart of its decisions.

This year, the NCC has taken bold steps to ensure that subscribers enjoy improved services and better protection. For instance, it mandated telecom providers to resolve customer complaints within 30 minutes at service centers, saving subscribers time and enhancing their overall experience.

The Commission has also been instrumental in expanding broadband access across the country. With its drive to achieve 70% broadband penetration by 2025, millions of Nigerians now have better access to affordable and reliable internet, creating opportunities for businesses, education, and social inclusion.

One of the standout achievements this year has been the NCC’s efforts to promote digital inclusion. Through partnerships and campaigns, the Commission has brought internet services to underserved communities, giving more Nigerians a chance to participate in the digital economy.

Cybersecurity has also been a top priority. With the increasing reliance on digital platforms, the NCC introduced stronger measures to protect subscribers from online threats, ensuring that the digital space remains safe for all users.

Economically, the NCC has created a vibrant environment for growth. By fostering competition and attracting new investments, it has helped reduce costs for subscribers while keeping the industry robust and innovative.

In response to rumors of tariff hikes, the NCC has reassured Nigerians that any decisions about tariffs will be transparent and in line with the realities of the economy. The Commission encourages subscribers to ignore unverified information and trust in its dedication to their welfare.

As the year progresses, the NCC continues to prove that it is not just a regulator but a partner to Nigerians, ensuring that the telecom sector remains dynamic, inclusive, and subscriber-focused.

By Anthony Emeka Nwosu.

 

PANTAMI EXCITED WITH THE UNPRECEDENTED 18.44% HIGHEST EVER ICT CONTRIBUTION TO NIGERIA’S GDP

PANTAMI EXCITED WITH THE UNPRECEDENTED 18.44% HIGHEST EVER ICT CONTRIBUTION TO NIGERIA’S GDP

 

The Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), is very excited to hear of the remarkable contribution of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the second quarter of 2022 (Q2 2022). The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) stated this in the ‘Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product Report’ for Q2 2022, released on the 26th of August, 2022.

The Digital Economy sector under Professor Pantami has continued its trend of playing a key part in the growth on Nigeria’s economy. The Report by the NBS indicated that the ICT sector contributed 18.44% to the total real GDP in Q2 2022. This is the highest contribution of ICT to the GDP and is truly unprecedented and marks the third time that the sector has achieved an unprecedented contribution to Nigeria’s GDP during the tenure of the Honourable Minister- in Q1 2020, Q2 2021 and now Q2 2022.

The oil sector contributed 6.33% to the total real GDP in Q2 2022, which was lower than the contribution in Q2 ‘2021 and Q1 ‘2022, where it contributed 7.42% and 6.63% respectively. The non-oil sector’s contribution grew by 4.77% in real terms, resulting in a 93.67% contribution to the nation’s GDP in the Q2 ‘2022, higher than Q2 ‘2021 and Q2 ‘2022, where it contributed 92.58% and 93.37% respectively.

The Honorable Minister notes that the growing contribution of the ICT sector to the GDP is as a result of the commitment of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR to the development of the digital economy. The diligent implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) for a Digital Nigeria, stakeholder engagement and creation of an enabling environment have all played an important role in this achievement.

The support of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has contributed immensely to the impressive developments in the sector. The unprecedented contribution of ICT to Nigeria’s GDP can also be attributed to the dynamic and results-oriented leadership of the sector. The GDP Report has shown how critical the ICT sector is to the growth of our country’s digital economy and, by extension, the general economy.

The Honourable Minister congratulates all stakeholders in the digital economy ecosystem for this cheering news. He also renews his call to all sectors to take advantage of the Federal Government’s new focus on the digital economy to enable and improve their processes through the use of ICTs. This would enhance the output of all the sectors of the economy and boost Nigeria’s GDP.

 

DANBATTA: CREATING AN ENABLING ENVIROMENT IN THE TELECOMS ECOSYSTEM POST COVID 19 REALITIES

DANBATTA: CREATING AN ENABLING ENVIROMENT IN THE TELECOMS ECOSYSTEM POST COVID 19 REALITIES

The telecommunication space in the country has improved in recent years, with the apex regulatory agency, the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) headed by Prof. Danbatta creating an ecosystem that has seen many telecommunication firms thrive in recent years especially in the post Covid 19 narrative. The commission as of today is a reference point in African regulation space. A situation that has brought many African countries to understudy the commission.

The Covid 19 pandemic saw many sectors of the economy crippling, not only in Nigeria, but many countries of the world, but what stood out in the case of Nigeria, was the telecommunication. The lockdown period, Nigerians during that period enjoyed uninterrupted internet and calls. Today, the issue of quality of Service (QoS) is at the front burner. Though, QoS has improved lately with dropped calls and uncompleted calls drastically reduced.

The EVC lately listed critical regulatory actions that have been taken by the Commission to slowdown the impact of Covid 19 pandemic in the telecoms sector especially in the area of service delivery. Working in line with global best practice such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) , Telecos are reporting demand spike especially in the area of data usage and volume of call.

The EVC ensured that the Telcos are well prepared for this scenario. As Nigerians are still observing social distancing, it is believed in the industry that there would be increase in the demand of telecommunication service at the same time consumers would also expect good service. The EVC has harped and reiterated that the Commission is so poised and positioned to ensure that Nigerians benefit quality services.
The EVC in the last concluded virtual consumers parliament said that mobile operators needed to play their roles in sustaining quality of service delivery. He added that in collaboration with the supervising Ministry, the Commission has developed various platforms handle requests.

Resource sharing among telecommunication players is one area that the EVC is particular about, with the Right of Way issue, the Commission has played an intervention role apart from its statutory role which is regulatory. The NCC engaged the Nigerians Governors Forum (NGF) on this issue of right of way and finding a middle-ground on the rates that the Telcos and Infracos will pay. These strides paid off; various governors of states lent their support for a robust broadband infrastructure in the country.

Danbatta ensured a regulatory framework that would direct security agencies in the country to protect telecommunication facilities such as mast and fibre optic cables. He got a presidential nod to this effect, a big Landmark achievement for the present EVC. Not resting on his oars, the EVC has constantly tasked the telecommunication and internet service providers to always upgrade to the latest technologies and be in tune with the global best practice.

Anthony Emeka Nwosu

Danbatta ensured a regulatory framework that would direct security agencies in the country to protect telecommunication facilities such as mast and fibre optic cables

Covid 19: Cuidad Broadband Brings Superfast Internet to Boost Businesses

Covid 19: Cuidad Broadband Brings Superfast Internet to Boost Businesses

Global economies, Nigeria inclusive this Post Covid 19 would be altered for good, workplaces and the way we relate will change and many businesses would tilt online and the need to have a robust connection this period has becomes more imperative for business scalability. Cuidad Infrastructure Limited, an indigenous internet service provider (ISP) based in Lagos is bringing an internet solution to Nigerian homes and businesses that would enable them to work better. 

Speaking to the media, Seun Olajide, the managing director of Cuidad Infrastructure Limited made this known to media. In his words he said “we are here to bring cheap, superfast and reliable connectivity to Nigerians. We understand that Covid 19 will alter the way we live and work, majority of these work would be either online or works would be done from home. Having said this, we are bringing world class internet solution. We have deployed services across the federation with connectivity in the most cities of the country.”

“To ensure that people can work from anywhere without the normal glitches and hitches associated with connectivity, we have partnered with reputable local and global telecommunication firms to bring this wonderful experience to these set of business. With reduced downtime and no buffering, SMEs, can fully utilize the digital economy that would power various areas of their businesses from the digital payment facilitation, e learning for schools and other online presence”, Seun Olajide added.

Government across the states of federation have encouraged Nigerians to maintain social distancing and as many businesses and organizations have encouraged working from home, this is in addition to embraced online shopping and delivery. Cuidad Infrastructure Limited will be bridging this gap with the deployment of superfast internet solutions for these categories of business at a very reasonable cost.

Cuidad Broadband is making businesses seamless and easier for SMEs. This would enable these set of businesses find customers through various digital communications platform, meet customers’ needs now that businesses are innovating this post Covid 19 era by deploying superfast internet at affordable rates. With a download speed of over 500Kps, and high coverage areas across the federation. Ciudad is an innovative internet solutions provider to public and private segments, delivering exceptional value to our customers, partners and shareholders.”, concluded Olajide.

ANTHONY EMEKA NWOSU